Fire in Butte County leads to evacuations

Christian Solis|August 31, 2017

Photo courtesy of Butte County Sheriffs Office

Photo courtesy of Butte County Sheriff’s Office

A fire in Ponderosa started Tuesday afternoon, growing to cover 2,500 acres.

Ponderosa fire
The fire can be seem from above Lake Oroville. Photo credit: Christian Solis

The fire, nine-miles northeast of Oroville, is zero percent contained and expected to expand further north, according to Cal Fire.

Terrain map of Ponderosa fire.
Image courtesy of YubaNet Fire News.

25 damaged, destroyed homes have been reported.

Cal Fire has arrested 29-year-old John Ballenger, on suspicion of letting an illegal campfire escape.

John Ballenger
Suspected of igniting the fire. Image courtesy of Cal Fire.

Cal Fire Public Information Office expects a difficult fight due to the conditions created from years of drought and the past winter’s heavy rain.

Lori Nichols, Red Cross Supervisor at Church of the Nazarene, remains committed to providing refuge to evacuees from the area, her team prepares for more fleeing of the fire.

Small and large Animal shelters will also be open. Locations can be found at the Butte County website.

Further information can be reached at the Fire Informational line at (530) 538-7826 or visit YubaNet Fire News.

Christian Solis can be reached at [email protected] or @c_alexander20 on Twitter.